Social work of the Kyiv Zoo
1. The “Zoo-lesson” project is a series of five classes for high school students at the Zoo dedicated to the humane treatment of animals. Students get to know different types of animals in an interactive way, learn about their characteristics, and how to treat them correctly.
2. The “Zoo on touch” project is a typhlozoological project developed for blind and partially sighted children and adults. Includes a sightseeing tour of the zoo and a series of “Zoo Art” classes. “ZOOART” develops fine motor skills, introduces children with visual impairments to the surrounding world of nature, gives positive emotions from contact with animals and plants, from a walk through the zoo and communication with project participants.
3. Social adaptation of children with disabilities of mental and physical development. The goal of the project is to acquire self-care skills for children with delays in development. The work is carried out under the supervision of the center’s specialists, the training program was developed taking into account their recommendations.
4. The “Discussion club” project. The goal of the project is the socialization and inclusion of teenagers, based on the club of Kyiv Zoo. This inclusive project involves direct communication between students of the Club with students of the Kyiv City Center for the Rehabilitation of Children with Disabilities, to discuss social manifestations in humans and animals.
5. Club of young naturalists. It unites children of middle and high school age interested in the study of nature and promotes orientation in the choice of professions related to direct work or the study of the animal world. In the club of young naturalists teenagers find like-minded people who are also in love with the world of animals, and teachers who help to reveal its secrets.
6. Outing promotions to the “Scientific and Practical Medical Center of Children’s Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine” with the participation of animals-assistants. The purpose of these activities is positive emotions for children and adults who are being treated in a hospital or undergoing rehabilitation after long-term treatment. Such promotions are not held on the territory of the zoo. Therefore, only those animals that tolerate transportation in transport boxes and cause unambiguously positive associations are involved in these activities. These are mostly rodents, turtles, and small ungulates.
